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Seoul Olympics 30th Anniversary – How did the Olympics develop Seoul?

03/06/2018SMG3106

In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Seoul Olympics, the Seoul Museum of History published How did the 1988 Seoul Olympics develop Seoul?, which shows how Seoul turned into a global city after the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

2018 is not only the year of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, but also the year of the 30th anniversary of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. After the 1988 Olympics, Seoul underwent a period of growth and changes into an international city not only in terms of sports, but also economically, culturally, and socially.

Not only did the population of Seoul exceed 10,000,000 people in 1989, right after the Olympics was held, but also the number of subway lines increased from 1 (9.5 km) to 4 (115.3 km), and the number of parks increased from 1,578 (188.44 ㎢) to 2,190 (240.89㎢), causing huge changes in Seoul’s urban landscape.

The Olympics fever led to the foundation of professional sports such as professional baseball (1982), and to the establishment of the sport-and-recreation culture in the lives of citizens. The unparalleled economic growth led to a widespread consumption, opening the ‘My Car’ era. Also, various special broadcasting facilities were built in Yeouido to broadcast the Olympics, and the TV distribution rate per household increased dramatically.

Due to the expansion of Gangnam in the 1970s, the Hangang River became the new center of Seoul. In the 1980s, the Hangang River ceased to be the boundary that divided Seoul into Gangnam and Gangbuk, and was reborn as a space for citizens, becoming the point of extension of the city network.

Seoul’s face reflected in the world as an advanced city

Superannuated buildings in the center of Seoul was something that had to be solved for the beauty of the city. In order to grant Seoul the form of an advanced city, urban maintenance was promoted, mainly around visible areas.

Lifestyle changes including a growth of the recreation culture and mass media

The 1988 Seoul Olympics brought an unparalleled economic growth in Korea. This changed all aspects of the lives of Seoul citizens, activating the culture of recreation, and growing the mass media.